Correspondence

5933.  RB to Frederic Chapman

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 223.

The Athenæum

July 5. ’67.

My dear Chapman,

I think the best way will be for you to apprise me whenever the sale of the Poems [1] reduces your stock to 50: [2] I will then make up my mind about what is to be done. I think the great size of the volumes, and the number of them, as they are now, a great disadvantage,—and should be inclined to try what breaking up the thing into separate poems would do.

People buy one volume at a Railway Station,—for instance,—and would not be encumbered with three bulky books. But I avoid coming to my determination at present.

Ever yours very truly

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. RB’s Poetical Works (3 vols., 1865).

2. Underscored twice.

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